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What ingredients should I look for in plant-based protein powder?

Your overall health depends on getting enough protein. In kids, teenagers, young adults and pregnant women, it helps form new cells and aids in the body’s ability to repair damaged ones. Animal products such as meat, milk, fish, and eggs and plant sources such as soy, beans, legumes, nuts, and some grains are familiar protein sources.

Protein powder is a simple and effective supplement for those who aren’t getting sufficient protein from their diet. Vegan protein powders use plant-based protein sources instead of animal-based ones like whey. They are the best protein powder option for those who don’t eat any animal products.

 

What is Vegan Protein Powder?

There are a wide variety of proteins that can be used in protein powder. Whey, soy, collagen, egg, and pea protein are some of the most common sources of protein found in powdered form. There are no animal products in a vegan protein supplement, which is made from only vegetarian sources.

All nine of the body’s essential amino acids can be found in a vegan plant-based protein powder that is a complete protein source. These are essential for muscle growth and repair because the body cannot produce them independently. In between workouts, they can even hasten your recovery process even further. Complete proteins can be found in various plant foods, including peas, hemp, quinoa, and soy.

 

Vegan Protein Powder Ingredients?

  1. Soy protein:

    Soy is the most widely known because it has been on the market for the longest period of time. 90% of the protein in soy is derived from defatted soy flour. Soy has been shown to have a number of health benefits, including bone strength, weight reduction assistance, skin health improvement, and blood sugar regulation.

  2. Pea protein:

    For those with a soy allergy, pea protein is an excellent alternative because it is allergen-free. Pea protein has been employed in a number of recent launches. Pea protein powder can have a protein level of up to 80% if it is made from field peas. It also has all nine of these essential amino acids, making it a complete protein.

  3. Hemp protein:

    It has been used for a long time, but one thing to keep in mind about hemp protein is that it has a flavor. It has also been shown to improve heart health and immune system function.

  4. Brown rice protein:

    Another excellent choice for vegans looking for protein powder is brown rice protein. It is not a complete protein, which is why it is frequently included with other protein powders in order to ensure that the body receives all of the essential amino acids; however, it is high in BCAAs (Brand chain amino acids).

  5. Quinoa protein:

    Although Quinoa is often blended with other protein powders, it can also be purchased as a stand-alone product. There is also an additional functional benefit to this selection because quinoa is rich in iron, and it’s a complete source of protein too.

  6. Chia Seeds:

    Protein content alone makes chia seeds worthy of their “superfood” moniker. Omega-3 fatty acids, manganese, calcium, and fiber all abound in chia seeds, making them a nutritious addition to any diet. They are good for the skin, and they may also be good for the heart and digestion. 

  7. Pumpkin seeds:

    Pumpkin seeds are a good source of protein and good fats when eaten raw. Because most of the fat is removed during the powdering process, fewer calories are consumed. Unflavored pumpkin seed protein powder delivers about 103 calories and 18 grams of protein in a quarter-cup (28-gram) serving. Protein from pumpkin seeds is very nutritious and provides a wide range of nutrients such as magnesium, zinc, iron, and other minerals.

Also Read: 8 Best Whey Protein Powders For Men In India

Choosing Plant Protein Powder?

With so many different protein sources on the market and so many different sizes, it can be hard to figure out which one is best for you. So how do you pick the best protein powder for you? Asking these questions can help you determine which protein supplement is appropriate for your health goals. Is a complete protein what I need? What is your favorite flavor? Exactly how much powder do I want to ingest in order to achieve my desired results? Is a protein isolate something I’d like to take? Why am I exercising? Which type of protein powder am I looking for: gluten-free, organic, or non-GMO? For vegans, additional considerations must be taken into account when making a purchasing decision is this protein supplement vegan?

  1. Is it complete protein?

Asking whether or not it is a complete protein source is critical when shopping for vegan protein powder. Choose a protein blend like Vegan Way produced from pea protein and brown rice that provides complete proteins when selecting a protein powder for your workouts. We recommend that vegans and those on a dairy-free diet use a plant-based protein powder blend that contains all nine essential amino acids because plant sources may not include all of them.

  1. Amount of Protein per serving

Daily consumption of 0.8 grams of protein per kilogramme of body weight is recommended by the Institute of Medicine (IOM). The inactive woman should consume 46 grams daily, while the sedentary man should consume 56 grams daily.

  1. Source of Protein powder

A little pea, a little hemp. There are a variety of plant protein choices, including soy, pea, brown rice and hemp. You should think about your own protein requirements when evaluating these options. A brown rice and pea protein combination, for example, maybe a better choice if you are attempting to restrict your soy consumption.

  1. Sugar in Protein Powders

 Most of our food, even vegan protein powders, contains sugar. Adding sugar to plant-based protein powders can enhance their flavor. While a small amount of sugar isn’t harmful, it does increase caloric intake without providing any additional nutrients. Most women should get no more than 100 calories per day from sugar, and most men should get no more than 150 calories per day from sugar. This is about six teaspoons of sugar for women and nine teaspoons for men each day.

  1. Flavor of Protein Powder

Protein powders usually come in vanilla, chocolate, and unflavored flavors. Let your taste buds help you decide on a vegan protein powder, but keep your health in mind. If you want vanilla or chocolate-flavored protein, try to find one that doesn’t have too many extra grams of sugar. Protein powders that get their flavor from natural sources taste just as good as protein powders that get their flavor from chemical compounds, which can leave a bad taste in your mouth. If you like plain protein powder, you can add fresh fruit or peanut butter to your protein shakes to give them flavor.

  1. Is it organic Protein

Make sure the plant-based protein you are eating is organic. You don’t want pesticides all over the plants that give you protein. This is a big worry with regular soy protein because it often comes from GMO soy that was bred to be able to handle a lot of pesticides. Even if none of these pesticides gets into your food, they are still bad for the environment. Go natural. It’s a good idea.

  1. Is it Sustainably Sourced

Look for a source of protein that can be harvested in an environmentally friendly manner. Some ingredients are obtained in a way that harms the environment or the people who cultivate them. The majority of products will be labelled “Non-GMO” or “Sustainably sourced” on their packaging. If you’re uncertain, don’t hesitate to write to the firm and ask them. The majority of them are more than ready to discuss where their products come from.

  1. Quality of the Ingredients

Plant protein is not always easy to make taste good. Most plant protein supplements have an unpleasant texture, taste, or color. Some companies fix the problem by adding a lot of sugar substitutes, flow agents, fillers, artificial flavors, and/or artificial colors. Or they’ll just put a lot of sugar in it. Always look at the labels to see if there are any strange ingredients. Avoid these common types of sweeteners:

  1. Sucralose
  2. Acesulfame-potassium (acesulfame-K)
  3. Aspartame
  4. Agave
  5. Coconut sugar
  1. Nutrient Composition

There is a wide variety of differences amongst proteins. Choose protein powders that are packed with a variety of different micronutrients. Protein derived from pumpkin, for instance, is high in both magnesium and potassium, while protein derived from peas is loaded with calcium, zinc, iron, and vitamin E. 

  1. Non-GMO Ingredients

Our knowledge of the long-term impacts of GMO crops is limited. It’s too early to tell what type of health issues they’ll produce in the future. As if this wasn’t enough, the bulk of genetically modified organisms are engineered to be resistant to even the most lethal insecticides. 

  1. Grain Free Protein Powder

Choose a protein powder that does not include grains if you follow a Paleo or Primal diet or if you have a sensitivity to gluten or wheat. You have a number of good alternatives to choose from, including spirulina, hemp protein, and pea protein.

Also Read: 8 Best Whey Protein Powders For Men In India

Bottom Line

Thank you for reading, we are always excited when one of our posts is able to provide useful information on a topic like this! We hope you’ve found this helpful, and if you have any other questions about finding the right plant-based protein powder for you, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

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